Theme Parks Are Back, but What About Customers?

The first of Central Florida's major theme parks to reopen was back in business on Monday, and I was there. In fact, I was among what appeared to be no more than 150 to 200 guests at the gate of Merlin Entertainment's (LSE: MERL) Legoland Florida when the turnstiles were unlocked for the first time since mid-March.

A pair of high-energy emcees on a raised platform above the park entrance did their best to pump up the light crowd, offering up music-backed safeguarding tips including sign reading, hand washing, and social distancing set as dance moves for younger park guests to follow.

Opening on a Monday instead of a weekend is all about the ramp-up process. It was never going to be a show of patron force. However, with Legoland Florida also introducing a new pirate-themed on-site hotel on Monday -- and the state going 78 days without an open theme park -- the lukewarm turnout was surprising. What if Central Florida's theme parks threw a relaunching party and nobody came?

Source Fool.com